3 Netflix shows like Virgin River to watch next
By Bryce Olin
If you're a fan of Virgin River and you've seen all five seasons of the hit Netflix original series, we have three Netflix shows that you need to watch next.
Virgin River season 6 is hopefully coming to Netflix sometime later this year! We still don't have a release date for the new season yet, but there's been a lot of rumors and rumblings about the new season coming soon.
While you wait, these are the shows you need to watch!
Sweet Magnolias
Sweet Magnolias is, I feel, the show that often gets mentioned with Virgin River. They each have a similar vibe, premiered around the same time, and are based on popular book series. Sweet Magnolias is obviously more Southern, while Virgin River has a distinctly Canadian flavor, despite the series actually being set in California. The show is filmed in and around Vancouver, Canada.
Sweet Magnolias is based on the book series of the same name by Sherryl Woods.
JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott, and Heather Headley star as the three best friends, Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen. In the series, the trio works and plays together while also supporting each other through all things love, parenting, and adulthood bring.
There are three seasons of Sweet Magnolias on Netflix right now. Luckily, Netflix picked up the hit romantic drama for a fourth season. It has been filmed, but unfortunately, Sweet Magnolias season 4 doesn't appear to be headed to Netflix in 2024. We'll be waiting until 2025 for the new season.
Heartland
If you're ready to take your down the old Netflix road, Heartland is the show for you! The romantic drama is not a Netflix original series, but it is available to stream on Netflix. In fact, the first 16 seasons of Heartland are available to stream on Netflix right now.
The series tells the story of the Bartlett-Fleming family, friends, and colleagues (I think that's what you still call people you work on a ranch with, but I don't know) who are just trying to make things work on their remote ranch. There's a lot of drama, a lot of romance, and a lot of episodes of this series to watch.
Amber Marshall, Shaun Johnston, Michelle Morgan, and more star in the series that just entered its 18th season on CBC TV in Canada. Heartland season 17 and season 18 will eventually be on Netflix, but it's going to be a while!
If you like Virgin River but prefer a more rural/ranch vibe even, this is the show for you!
Emily in Paris
This might feel like a bit of a change-up thrown at you. No, Emily in Paris is not as soapy drama as Virgin River. No, Emily (Lily Collins) doesn't have to repeatedly save people in the town because the nearest hospital is two hours away. No, Emily doesn't end up with the first guy she meets in Paris and live in a one-room log cabin even though they seem to be crushing it money-wise.
But, Emily does move to the big city (Paris!) on a whim to make something of her life. She's a fish out of water so to speak, just like Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge). And, she faces a lot of challenges in her love and professional life after working of an agency in Paris.
Emily in Paris, which is coming back for a fifth season, is romantic, dramatic, heartfelt, and basically a perfect Netflix show. It leans into the comedy a little bit more, and there are a lot better fashion choices than you'll find at Jack's Bar.
If you love Virgin River, I do think you'll be able to enjoy Emily in Paris on Netflix!
There are four seasons of Emily in Paris available to stream on Netflix right now. The new season just premiered in August/September 2024.
Those are the three shows you should watch if you like Virgin River! I'm sure we'll have more recommendations for you soon!